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amostragem itinerante
folha local
May 22, 2014 18:47
9 yrs ago
3 viewers *
Portuguese term

Arrastão

Portuguese to English Art/Literary Journalism
like the ones committed by gangs or crowds of criminals on the beaches, apartment buildings, traffic jams, etc.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +2 flash mob robbery
5 Mass theft/robbery
5 urban theft technique / runs wild through a crowd ( arrastão)
4 Steaming
3 coordinated group robbery
3 Robbery raids
References
Algumas ideias aqui: https://www.google....

Discussion

Gilmar Fernandes May 23, 2014:
Thanks Verlow, for selecting my suggestion. Have a nice weekend!
VERLOW WOGLO JR (asker) May 22, 2014:
Mob Hi everyone. thank you for the suggestions and research. Both "mob robbery" and "mass robbery" are correct, and are used by BBC and CNN. However, I will be going with mob robbery, as it is called in the states, when people attack department stores and malls, while in Brazil it happens on beaches, luxury condos, in heavy traffic, and is committed by crowds of people or "coordinated" specialized gangs. Cheers!
Tom Jamieson May 22, 2014:
I disagree. I don't think coordinated implies anything fancy, just that the group are working together, which is true. But each to their own! Really the main point I was trying to make was that in the absence of a direct translation, it's best to use a succinct phrase or few words that make the point, and describe the meaning.

The above is now kind of moot anyway, given that somebody has posted a direct translation! Although personally (and this is just my stance) I never use a direct translation if I think it is a very uncommon/unknown term. I'd rather the reader understands what it is they're reading.
Mario Freitas May 22, 2014:
@ Tom, although it is a loose translation, due to the non-existence of an exact term, "coordinated" sounds just too fancy for a bunch of favelados who do that kind of thing. There may be a bit of organization to it, but it's a big attack in mass, without much organization or leadership.
Tom Jamieson May 22, 2014:
I've had to translate this a couple of times recently and as far as I know, there's no actual word for this in English. It's not really a "thing" outside Brazil in my experience, which would explain the lack of a name for it.

I have always translated it as "a group of thieves on the train" or a "coordinated robbery by a group", etc, something of a more loose translation.

Proposed translations

+2
7 mins
Selected

flash mob robbery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob_robbery

Flash mob robberies operate using speed and sheer numbers in order to intimidate any resistance and complete the act before police can respond. While often viewed as a form of theft or looting (the illegal taking of items), these crimes more closely fit the definition of robbery because the large crowd creates an implied threat of violence should employees or bystanders attempt to intervene.
Peer comment(s):
agree Claudio Mazotti
40 mins
Thanks Claudio :)
agree Mario Freitas :
43 mins
Thanks Mário :)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
6 mins

coordinated group robbery

suggestion
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8 mins

Steaming

Steaming (crime)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steaming is a slang term used in the UK commonly for robbery performed on train or bus passengers by a gang or large group and often involving some level of violence.[1][2] It is often used interchangeably with mugging, referring to a specific subcategory of that crime. Several cases have been reported on the London Underground and other city public transport systems although not exclusively localised to them. It may also be applied to other theft such as shoplifting, involving a large group employing distraction tactics, intimidation or actual violence against staff.[3] In general, the term refers to the operation in a large group and the use of intimidation and violence to commit theft.
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22 mins

Mass theft/robbery

I would suggest "mass theft" or " mass robbery" as it's punchier in news writing.
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1 hr

urban theft technique / runs wild through a crowd ( arrastão)

Eu colocaria uma dessas definições com a palavra em português entre parenteses.

Veja a ref. último parágrafo da pág. 08:

http://publicacoes.midiatatica.info/midiatatica.pdf
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5 hrs

Robbery raids

I think that since it envolves a lot of people targeting another people or stores and public places, it's like a raid, almost as a Viking raid.
Once its goal is robbery, then "robbery raid" would be better.

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Note added at 5 hrs (2014-05-23 00:09:11 GMT)
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Perhaps it would be better if you keep "arrastão" with a parenthesis explaining that they are robbery raids.
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Reference comments

7 mins
Reference:

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